Guidelines for the geometry design of local microseismic arrays

Zuolin Chen

ABSTRACT

Error analysis of hypocenter location provides an efficient method for the design of
local microseismic monitoring arrays. By using the equation of the error ellipsoid derived
from the conventional generalized inverse method at a 3-D grid system in the study area,
the hypocenter error contour mapping of a space containing a local microseismic
monitoring array and its vicinities was drawn. As the technique provides the error
distribution of a planning array before construction, it can be used to preview and
examine whether the alignment of the stations can satisfy the need of precision in the
object areas, and provide the evidence for further adjustments of the array. Also, through
a series of numerical experiments, some rules of array design are derived, and these rules
provide the theoretical evidence and guidelines for the design and optimization of local
microseismic monitoring arrays.